Windshield cleaner



WINDSHIELD CLEANER Original Filed June 30. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet l 3mmJohnXJhillipsJt J. x. PHILLIPS, JR

WINDSHIELD CLEANER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed June 30. 1923 June1934- J. x. PHILLIPS. JR

WINDSHIELD CLEANER Original Filed June 30. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 7.

} Re. 19,202 PATENT OFFICE WINDSHIELD CLEANER. John X. Phillips, In,Washington, I). 0., assignor,

by mesne assignments, to Trico Products Corporation, Buffalo, N. Y., acorporation of New York Original application June 30, 1923, Serial No.648,818, Patent No. 1,666,107, dated April 17, 1928. Divldedandapplication August 5, 1925, Serial No. 48,419, Patent No. 1,693,665,dated December 4, 1928. Application for reissue August 28, 1933, SerialNo. 687,232

, 22 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in windshield cleaners and is adivision of Patent No. 1,666,107 granted tome April 17, 1928.

In the above mentioned patent, of which this application is a division,I have described and claimed a motor for operating windshield cleanerswherein a suction casing is provided having a movable member therein,means being provided for alternately connecting said casing on oppolosite sides of said movable member with a source of differential pressureby means of a valve mechanism controlled by movement of the movablemember. The valve mechanism is arranged to operate at each normal limitof movement of the movable member to reverse the direction of travelthereof, and means are provided for rendering the valve mechanismineffective whereby the movable member may partake of movement beyondits normal limit to remove the cleaner arm from the line of vision ofthe driver of an automobile. In the above mentioned patent I alsodescribe a windshield cleaner adapted to be actuated by the motor abovementioned, the cleaner being movable through a predetermined stroke bythe movable member referred to, the cleaner arm being adapted to swingbeyond its normal limit of movement to assume a substantially horizontalposition out of the line of the driver's vision. Movement of the cleanerarm beyond its normal limit is utilized for moving the cleaner armoutwardly whereby the wiper will be disengaged from the windshield glassto relieve tension on the rubber wiper thus preventing distortion of therubber when not in use. The windshield cleaner referred to forms thesubject matter of, the present invention.

An object of the invention is to provide a windshield cleaner having acleaner arm adapted to be moved to a horizontal position out of contactwith the windshield when the device is not in operation.

A still further object is to provide a cleaner arm adapted to bepivotally connected to an oscillating motor shaft provided with meansfor moving the windshield wiper out of contact with the windshield glassas the cleaner arm approaches a horizontal position. 4

More specifically the invention comprises a cleaner motor embodying ashaft 1 adapted to oscillate through a predetermined arcuate movement ofpreferably less than 180, and a cleaner arm plvotally connected to theshaft and provided with a wiper'blade adapted to contact with thewindshield glass-during normal operation of the motor shaft. When thedevice is not in operation the cleaner arm is adapted to be moved to asubstantially horizontal position beyond either normal limit of itsstroke, and in its movement beyond its normal limit, the arm is adaptedto be moved away from the windshield by a novel cam action.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown one embodiment of theinvention. In this showing:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a window, such as a trolley car window,showing the invention applied, I

Fig. 2 is a central vertical sectional view,

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the motorcasing on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the motor casing or cylinder with thecover plate over the valve mechanism removed,

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the cleaner shaft and associatedparts, whereby the main valve is locked in closed position and thesnapover mechanism rendered inoperative,

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the automatically operated valveshowing the side of the valve as shown in Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the window casing and sash, showing thecleaner in elevation,

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 88 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 4 with the valve and operatingmechanism removed,

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic front elevation of the path of movement of thecleaner arm, and,

Fig. 11 is a plan view thereof.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numera1 1 designates a portionof the front of a trolley car or similar vehicle, A window frame 2 isarranged therein and is provided with a pane The cleaner comprises acylinder or casing 7 I plate and the front of the cylinder is closed bya cover plate 11 secured to the web 10, by means of screws 12. The rearside is closed by a somewhat similar plate 13 of smaller size and thespace between the plate 13 and the web 10 forms the valve chamber. Apiston 14 is mounted in each end of the cylinder and these pistons areprovided with suitable packing in the usual manner. Each piston isadapted to move .in the space between the web 10 and the end of thecylinder. These pistons are connected by a longitudinal web 15 havingrack teeth 16 formed on its upper face. A segmental gear 17 having teeth18 is mounted on a cleaner shaft 19 and meshes with rack teeth 16 todrive the cleaner shaft. As shown, the gear is secured to the shaft bymeans of a set screw 20. The shaft is journaled in the web 10 and theouter end of the shaft is received in a sleeve 21 carried by the coverplate. As shown in Fig. 20f the drawings, the segmental gear 19 isarranged adjacent the web 10, and the longitudinal web 15 is arrangedbeneath the segmental gear on one side of the web 10. i

A feed pipe 22 extends to a suitable source of pressure or suction (notshown) and is provided with a control valve 23 arranged therein. Thispipe is connected to an inlet chamber 24 formed in an enlargement 25 onthe upper portion of the plate 10. As shown, a plug 26 is screw-threadedinto the upper end of the chamber 24 and receives the end of the pipe22. This plug is provided with a valve seat 27 adapted to receive avalve 28. The valve is provided with a stem 29 extending through anopening in the bottom of the chamber 24 and the valve is normallyretained in open position by means of a spring 30, surrounding the sternand engaging a pin 31 carried thereby. The chamber 24 is provided withan outlet port 32, communicating with a main feed passage 33, extendingsubstantially the full length of the plate 10. As shown, the upper endof this passage is closed by a plug 34. The shaft 19 is provided with agroove 35 in alinement with the feed passage 33 to permit air or otherfluid to pass around it. The bottom of the passage 33 communicates witha port 36 extending through one side of the plate 10. A disk valve 37 isarranged on the face of the plate 10 over the inlet port 36. 'As shown,

the valve is provided with a central opening 38 adapted to receive a pin39 which retains it in position and permits it to oscfllate. A spring 40is arranged around the pin to retain the valve on its seat. This valveis provided with a groove 41 in its face, adapted to connect the passage36 with either of a pair of passages 42 extending through the plate 10and connected to suitable conduits 43 leading to opposite ends of thecylinder. The valve is likewise provided with another groove 44 ofgreater length and adapted to connect either of the passages 42 to anexhaust passage 45 opening into the valve chamber. The cover plate 13may be provided with a vent opening 46.

An arm 47 is connected to the end of the shaft 19 and extends downwardlytherefrom. The arm is provided with an offset end 48 adapted to receiveone end of a coil spring 49. The other end of the spring is connected toa pin 50 carried by the valve 37, and this spring is adapted to move thevalve from one position to another as the shaft oscillates. A pin 51 ismounted on the face of the plate 10 and the valve is provided with apair of projections 52, adapted to engage this pin to limit themovement'of the valve.

A sleeve 53 is mounted on the shaft 19 within the valve chamber. Asshown, the sleeve is connected to the shaft by means of a key 54,permitting longitudinal movement of the sleeve but preventing relativerotary movement. One end of the sleeve is provided with a pair of spacedcollars 55 forming a groove 56. A yoke 57 is mounted in this groove anda rod 58 is connected to the yoke. This rod passes through the frame ofthe car and is provided with a handle 59 by means of which the rod maybe moved to move the sleeve longitudinally of the shaft. The other endof .the sleeve is provided with a cam 60 forming a part of the controlmechanism for the automatic valve 3'7. Adjacent the cam, the sleeve isprovided with a pair of projections 61 spaced from each othersubstantially 180 degrees. A latch 62 is pivotally mounted on the plate10 above the disk valve 37. This latch is normally retained in a raisedposition by, means of a spring 63. The latch is provided with adepending tooth 64 adapted to cooperate with a projecting lug 65 carriedby the disk valve to lock the valve when the latch is in loweredposition. When the sleeve 53 is moved longitudinally of the shaft, a cam60 immediately lowers the latch 62, lowering the tooth 64 into the pathof the lug 65, and preventing the valve 37 from shifting. At the sametime, the projections 61 are brought into vertical alinement with thevalve stem 29 and upon oscillation of the shaft, the valve stem israised to close the valve 28.

The outer end of the shaft 19 is forked, as indicated at 66, and isadapted to pivotally support a cleaner am 67. This cleaner arm isprovided with the usual cleaner element 68 adapted to contact with theglass 3 when in operative position. The cleaner arm extends beyond thepivot and the upper end is received between a pair of spaced members 69carried by an arm or bracket 70 mounted on the sleeve 21. This sleeve iskeyed to the shaft to oscillate therewith by means of a key '72. A plate73 is secured to the inside of the cover plate 11 on each side of theshaft and each of these plates is provided with a cam portion '74. Thesleeve 21 is provided with an arm 75 adapted to ride over these camportions to move the sleeve inwardly when the shaft is oscillated apredetermined distance in either direction.

In the diagrammatic illustration shown in Figs. 10 andll of thedrawings, the normal path of 25 the cleaner arm in operation isdesignated by the lines 76. When the cleaner arm oscillates through theare designated by the line 76, the arm 75 does not engage either of thecams '74 and the cleaner element is maintained in contact with 3g 1 thewindow to be cleaned. The horizontal lines 77 indicate the limit ofmovement of the cleaner arm when the motor is shut off and the cleanerarm moves to the inoperative position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 ofthe drawings. When the cleaner arm moves through the arc designated bythe lines '76 and 77 at either side of the semicircle shown in Fig. 10of the drawings, the arm '75 engages one of the earns 74 to move thesleeve 21 inwardly and thus swing the cleanerarm on its pivot. As theupper end of the cleaner arm is moved inwardly, the lower end, carryingthe cleaner element, is moved outwardly away from the window. In Fig. 11of the drawings, the position of the cleaner element in normal operationis indicated by the dotted line 78 and the upward movement of thecleaner element away from the window is indicated by the dotted lines79.

In operation, the casing is connected to a source of suction or pressureby opening the valve 23. Fluid is admitted or withdrawn from the fluidchamber 24 which is connected to the opposite ends of the casing bymeans of the automatic valve 37. With the valve in the position shown inFig. 4 of the drawings, the right hand end of the casing is connected tothe source of power by means of its conduit 43, passage 42, the passage41 in the disk valve, and passages 33 and 36 in the plate 10. In apressure operated motor, the pistons will then be moved toward the left,oscillating the shaft 19 in a clockwise direction in this figure. Thearm 47 moves with the shaft, causing the upper end of the spring to movetoward the opposite side of the plate 10. When the spring passes acenter point and is again placed under tension, the valve 37 will bemoved in a clockwise direction to place the opposite side of thecylinder in communication with the source of power. The movement of thevalve is limited by the stops 52 and the pin 51 so that the groove 41inthe face of the valve will always bridge the space between the passage36 and one of the passages 42. If the cleaner is to be operated bysuction, the connection of the end of the cylinder to the source ofsuction will move the pistons in a reverse direction as will beapparent, and it is therefore necessary to reverse the position of thevalve. When either end of the cylinder is in communication with thesource of power, the opposite end is in communication with theatmosphere through the port 42, port 44 of the valve 37 and the exhaustport 43.

Heretofore in operating windshield cleaners by fluid pressure motors, ithas been customary to close the valve corresponding to the valve 23 whenthe cleaner is to be shut off. The fluid in the conduits correspondingto the conduit 22, then passes into the motor casing and the cleanerelement stops at any position in its stroke, frequently in a positionmidway of a stroke, thus interfering with the vision of the operator ofthe vehicle. To cut off the motor in the present device, the rod 58 ispulled outwardly, moving the sleeve 53 outwardly on the shaft 19. Thisbrings the projections 61 into alinement with the valve stem 29 and asthe shaft is oscillated, one of the projections 61 engages the valvestem, forcing it upwardly and closing the valve 28. At the same time,the cam 60 lowers the latch 62 into the path of the lug 65 and locks theautomatic valve against operation. As the automatic valve 3'7 is thenlooked against rotation, the supply of fluid from one end of thecylinder to the other will not shift when the cleaner arm reaches thenormal end of its stroke, indicated by the dotted lines 76 in Fig. 10 ofthe drawings. The cleaner arm will then continue to move upwardly to theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 ofjthe drawings, and indicatedby the dotted line in Fig. 10 of the drawings. As the cleaner arm movesthrough the arc indicated by the dotted lines '76 and 7'7 the armengages the cam '74 to swing the cleaner element outwardly away from thewindow, as previously described and as indicated by the dotted line 79in Fig. 11 of the drawings. This outward movement of the cleaner permitsit to ride over the frame 1 of the vehicle body and further permits thewindow to be lowered without danger of the cleaner element being struckby the upper sash 2.

It is necessary in constructing the motor casing to provide a casingslightly longer than the normal movement of the pistons 14, to'allow forthe additional movement of the pistons toward either end of the cylinderwhen the supply of fluid is cut off and the cleaner is moved to itsinoperative position. The cleaner is then in position for furtheroperation by returning the sleeve 53 to its normal position. When thearm 75 disengages the cam '74 upon reopening the valve 23, the sleeve 21is moved to its normal position by means of a spring 80 arranged on theshaft 19 and engaging the sleeve at one end. The opposite end of thespring engages the segmental gear 17 and is compressed when the sleeveis moved inwardly by the cam.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and thatvarious changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

I claim: I

1. In a windshield cleaner, a motor, a cleaner arm connected to saidmotor to be operated thereby, said motor embodying means for defining anormal stroke to said cleaner arm short of the full extent of movementto which said motor is capable of moving said arm, means for moving saidcleaner arm outwardly from wiping contact with the windshield glass whenthe motor moves said cleaner arm beyond its normal stroke, and amanually operated means for rendering said first means inoperativewhereby the motor may move the cleaner arm beyond its normal stroke.

2. In a windshield cleaner, a motor, a cleaner arm connected to saidmotor to be normally reciprocated thereby, means adapting the motor forimparting an abnormal stroke to the cleaner arm, a cam arranged adjacentsaid cleaner arm beyond the normal limit of its reciprocation, and meansconnected to said cleaner arm and adapted to engage said cam at the endof its abnormal stroke to move said cleaner arm outwardly.

3. A windshield cleaner comprising a motor embodying a movable member,means for intermittently reversing the application of power to saidmember to effect a predetermined, reciprocatory movement of said memberless than its maximum stroke, manually operated means for holding saidreversing means against operation whereby the operating power will becontinuously applied to said movable member for driving the same beyondthe normal path of movement thereof, a cleaner arm operatively connectedto said movable member for movement over a defined normal path, saidcleaner arm being movable by said movable member beyond its normal pathwhen said reversing means is held against operation, and means coactingwith said cleaner arm and movable in part perpendicular to the plane ofthe normal path of movement thereof, when the latter moves beyond itsnormal path, for moving said cleaner arm from the plane of said normalpath.

4. A windshield cleaner comprising a cleaner arm, an operating shaftcarrying the same, means movable along the shaft for moving the cleanerarm outwardly from the windshield glass, means connected to the shaftfor rocking the shaft a predetermined extent, and also by which saidshaft may be abnormally rocked beyond the predetermined extent, andmeans for actuating said first means when the shaft is rocked beyond itsnormal predetermined extent.

5. In a windshield cleaner, a motor including an oscillating shaft, awipersupporting arm carried by the shaft to be oscillated thereby andpivotally connected adjacent one end to said shaft to be rocked thereonfor moving the supported wiper from the windshield, a sleeve slidablymounted on said shaft and having a portion engaging said arm to rock thelatter on the shaft when the sleeve is shifted axially, and meansadapted to slide said sleeve as said arm reaches an end of its stroketorock the arm for moving the wiper away from the windshield.

6. A device constructed in accordance with claim 5 wherein said lastnamed means comprises a cam adapted to engage said sleeve.

7. In a windshield cleaner, a motor including an oscillating shaft, acleaner arm pivotlly connected adjacent its upper end to said shaft tobe oscillated thereby, a sleeve slidably mounted on said shaft tooscillate therewith, said sleeve having a portion engaging said arm, aspring normally urging said sleeve in one direction to turn said armabout its pivot, and means adapted to engage said sleeve to move itagainst the tension of said spring when said arm approaches the limit ofits movement in one direction.

8. A device constructed in accordance with claim 7 wherein said meanscomprises a cam, said sleeve'being provided 'with a portion extendingtransversely of said shaft and adapted to engage said cam.

,9. A windshield cleaner comprising an operating shaft, a cleaner armpivoted thereto, a sleeve slidable on the shaft and rockable therewith,said sleeve being movable on the shaft and having a part acting to movethe wiper arm outwardlyfrom the windshield glass upon movement of saidsleeve, a radially extending arm carried by the sleeve, and a cam fixedin the path of movement of said sleeve arm for being engaged thereby foreffecting a longitudinal shifting of said sleeve on the shaft.

10. A windshield cleaner comprising a motor embodying a movable member,means for intermittently reversing the application of power to saidmovable member for defining a normal path of movement therefor short ofthe full extent of movement. thereof, a cleaner element operable over adefined path by said movable member, means for arresting said firstmeans whereby said movable member will be moved beyond its normal path,and means for moving the cleaner element out of its normal plane ofoperation by and during movement-of said movable member beyond itsdefinedpathfiof movement in either direction of movement.

11. A windshield cleaner comprising a motor embodying a movable member,means for intermittently reversing the application of power to saidmovable member short of the full movement of the latter for defining anormal path of movement therefor, a cleaner element operable overadefined path by said movable member and movably connected therewith,means for arresting said first means whereby the power will continue tobe applied to said movable member uni-directional to move the latterbeyond its normal path, means for shutting off the application of powerto said movable member after the latter has moved beyond its normal pathof movement, and means operable subsequent to and by and during themovement of said, movable member beyond its normal path of movement formoving said cleaner element out of its normal plane of movement.

12. A windshield cleaner comprising a motor embodying a movable member,means for intermittently reversing the application of power to saidmovable member for defining a normal path of movement therefor short ofthe full extent of movement thereof, a cleaner element operable over adefined path by said movable member,

means for arresting said reversing means whereby its normal path ofmovement, and means for successively rendering said arresting meansoperative and cutting off the application of power to said movablemember.

13. A windshield cleaner consisting of a casing, a piston therein. oneof the aforesaid elements being reciprocable, automatic valve mechanismfor operatively admitting fluid pressure to the casing at the end ofeach normal stroke of said reciprocable element, the latter beingmovable beyond the normal limits of its travel. a wiper movable back andforth over a windshield by said reciprocable element; means forarresting the operation of the valve mechanism 'when said reciprocableelement reaches one normal limit of movement so that the fiuid pressurewill continue to impel said reciprocable element beyond said specifiednormal limit, and means functioning by and during movement of saidreciprocable member beyond its normal path of movement for relieving thewiping contact of the wiper on the windshield.

14. A windshield cleaner consisting of a casing, a piston therein, oneof the aforesaid elements being reciprocable, automatic valve mechanismfor operatively admitting fluid pressure to the casing at the end ofeach stroke of said reciprocable element, a wiper movable back and forthover a windshield by said reciprocable element; means for rendering thevalve mechanism inoperative at the end of a stroke of said reciprocableelement whereby fluid pressure will continue to urge said reciprocableelement against a return movement, and means for moving the wiper from.off the windshield glass when said valve mechanism is renderedinoperative, said last means acting in cooperation with the continuedapplication of fluid pressure after said valve mechanism has beenrendered inoperative.

15. A windshield cleaner comprising a motor embodying a movable member,means for intermittently reversing the application of power to saidmovable member for defining a normal path of movement therefor short ofthe full extent of movement thereof, a cleaner element operable over adefined path by said movable member and movable thereby beyond saiddefined path when said movable member moves beyond its normal limits ofmovement, and means for arresting said first means whereby the powerwill be applied to said movable member unidirectionally for moving thelatter and said cleaner element beyond their respective normal limits ofmovement for parking said cleaner element without the area of thewindshield that is cleaned by said cleaner element during the normaloperation thereof.

16. A windshield cleaner consisting of a casing, a piston therein, oneof the aforesaid elements being reciprocable, automatic valve mechanismhaving a valve part movable from one to' the other of two operativepositions for operatively admitting flu d pressure to the casing forreciprocating said reciprocable element over a normal path of movement,said reciprocable element being adapted to move beyond the limits ofsaid normal path of movement by the continuous application of fluidpressure in one dilocking said valve part in either of its two positionswhereby the fluid pressurewill continue to impel said reciprocableelement beyond the limits of its normal path of movement.

1'1. A windshield cleaner comprising a wiper, a fluid pressure motorhaving a part movable to operate the wiper, said motor embodyingautomatic valve mechanism for reversing the application of power to saidpart for moving the wiper back and forth, a manually controlled devicefor arresting said automatic valve mechanism against actuation wherebythe fluid pressure will act upon said part to park the wiper at one sideof the windshield area cleaned-- thereby, and means for shutting off thefluid pressure as the wiper is parked.

18. A windshield cleaner comprising a wiper, a fluid pressure motorhaving a part movable to operate the wiper, said motor embodyingautomatic valve mechanism for reversing the application of power to saidpart for moving the wiper back and forth, and a manually controlleddevice for arresting said automatic valve mechanism against actuationwhereby the fluid pressure will act upon said part to park the wiper atone side of the windshield area cleaned thereby.

19. A windshield cleaner comprising a wiper, a fluid pressure motorhaving a part movable to operate the wiper, said motor embodyingautomatic valve mechanism for reversing the application of power to saidpart for moving the wiper back and forth, a device for arresting saidautomatic valve mechanism against reversing whereby the fluid pressurewill act upon 'said part to park the wiper at one side of the windshieldarea cleaned thereby, and manual preset means for rendering said deviceoperative.

20. A windshield cleaner comprising a motor embodying a movable member,a power shut off for the motor, means for intermittently reversing theapplication of power to said member for defining a normal path short ofthe full extent of movement thereof, a cleaner element operable back andforth by said movable member and movable thereby to a parked positionbeyond its normal 'path, means for arresting said first means to parkthe cleaner element without the area cleaned by said cleaner element,and means for operating said power shut ofi to interrupt the powersupply to the motor at the time of parking, said last means beingconnected to said arresting means for substantially concurrentoperation.

21. A windshield cleaner comprising a motor,

embodying a movable member, means for intermittently reversing theapplication of power to said movable member for defining a normal pathof movement therefor short of the full extent of movement thereof, acleaner element operable over a defined path by said movable member andmovable thereby beyond said defined path when said movable member movesbeyond its normal limits of movement, means for arresting said firstmeans whereby the power will be applied to said movable memberuni-directionally for moving the latter and said cleaner element beyondtheir respective normal limits of movement for parking said cleanerelement, and means for automatically shutting off the power to saidmotor by and during the parking operation.

22. A windshield cleaner comprising a motor embodying a movable member,means for intermittently reversing the application of power to saidmovable member for defining a normal path of movement thereof short ofthe full extent of movement thereof, a cleaner element operable over adefined path by said movable member and movable thereby beyond saiddefined path when said movable member moves beyond its normal limits ofmovement, means for arrestin said first means whereby the power will beapplied to said movable member uni-directionally for moving the latterand said cleaner element beyond their respective normal limits ofmovement for parking said cleaner element, means for automaticallyshutting oil the power to said motor by and during the parkingoperation, and manually pre-set-means for rendering said arresting meansoperative.

JOHN X. PHILLIPS, JR.

